Jamie Oliver and Sainsbury's decide to end advertising deal after 11 years

The food guru, whose deal with the firm is thought to be worth more than 1 million each year, has been the face of the company for numerous campaigns and he has starred in more than 100 television ads.

Oliver and the company, who will part company later this year, are said to have felt it was "the right time to move on".

The split is said to be "amicable" and the star is also seeking to spend more time working on various projects through his Jamie Oliver Foundation.

Oliver, who has also worked behind the scenes at the supermarket on its products, will bow out with Sainsbury's Christmas ad campaign.

His appearances on the company's commercials could make products instant best-sellers. A 2005 ad in which he was seen grating nutmeg over a spaghetti dish meant weekly sales of the spice shot up by 400 per cent.

But despite his lucrative deal he also rounded on the firm at one stage when it failed to field a representative when he was involved in a Channel 4 campaign to highlight the poor conditions endured by battery hens.

Oliver said yesterday: "It's been a fantastic 11 years, and together we have achieved some great things. I've made some great friends at Sainsbury's and I know we'll still be talking for years to come.

"They've got some very good people, from the top right down to the shop floor.

"The way they take on challenges - like their commitment to sourcing higher-welfare products, such as chicken and eggs - is something to be proud of. I'll miss them, but it's a good time to move on."